Characterization of activated carbon from waste tea (Camellia sinensis) using chemical activation for removal of methylene blue and cadmium ions

Aqilah Mariah Mohd Affandy and Rovina Kobun and Merillyn Vonnie Joseph and Husna Erna Kana (2023) Characterization of activated carbon from waste tea (Camellia sinensis) using chemical activation for removal of methylene blue and cadmium ions. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 44. pp. 113-122. ISSN 1026-9185

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Abstract

The activated carbon based on waste tea (WT-AC) was prepared using sulfuric acid as an activating agent at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%). Suitable characteristics as adsorbent have revealed concentration at 30% of waste tea activated carbon (WT-AC4) yield better adsorption, whereby other parameters including bulk density, ash content, volatile matter content, and moisture content obtained are 0.301 g mL⁻¹, 3.40%, 26.76%, and 4.34%, sequentially. Overall, WT-AC samples have shown a well-developed porous structure and are declared an amorphous region. Comparatively, the results of adsorption studies reveal iodine value of WT-AC4 is 593.41 mg g⁻¹ and commercial activated carbon is 738.62 mg g⁻¹, while in 100 mg L⁻¹ of methylene blue, the percentage of removal along with adsorption capacity yield the value of 89.2% (1.78 mg g⁻¹) and 97.6 (1.98 mg g⁻¹), respectively. In 0.5 mg L⁻¹ and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ of cadmium ions, WT-AC4 achieved 100% removal in both concentrations compared to commercially activated carbon with only 88.9%, then dropped to 46.2%. Significantly, the activated carbon from waste tea at a concentration of 30% sulfuric acid could be used as a low-cost adsorbent to remove organic and inorganic pollutants.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Adsorption, Biomass, Heavy metals, Dye, Chemical activation
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) > T1-995 Technology (General) T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1-1185 Chemical technology > TP155-156 Chemical engineering
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2025 10:24
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2025 10:24
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/45105

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